in the wake of her death, protesters are filling the streets there in india's capital, as well as other cities. you see this candlelight vigil going on right now in new delhi. cnn is at the protest site there. joining us now by phone. malika, first of all, what's the situation like there? these protests look peaceful. have you heard any reports otherwise. >> reporter: it is a peaceful protest, right here at this candlelight vigil, a very smooth and peaceful protest. the police have been appealing for calm. remember, last weekend's protests were anything but peaceful and calm, they were quite violent. today police have, police beefed up tremendously across the capitol. the protests, many have been here since 10:00 a.m., and it's now close to 7:00 p.m. in the evening, but throughout the day, the protests, they've been loud, they've been calm, but they have been very, very peaceful. >> i know protesters are calling the young victim lightning in hind dein hindu. why has this become such a lightning rod in india? >> reporter: a really good point you raise. it has become a lightning rod here in indi